Argentinian striker Jose Sand struck a hat-trick as Al Ain hammered pointless defending champions Al Ahli 5-1 to maintain their 100% start to the new UAE League campaign.
Al Ahli opened the scoring after just five minutes as Mohamad Srour headed home past Al Ain goalkeeper Walid Salem from an inviting free-kick from Egyptian midfielder Hosny Abd Rabou.
Al Ain replied after 19 minutes as Brazilian midfielder Marcio Emerson fired a well-struck shot which was deflected by Srour into his own net.!
The visitors took the lead two minutes later as Emerson's shot hit the crossbar and Sand followed up from close range.
Sand grabbed a second two minutes into the second half after collecting Saif Mohamad's pass before beating Al Ahli goalkeeper Obaid Al Tawila.
And Sand completed his hat-trick six minutes after the hour mark following a good solo run before substitute Ahmed Khamis sealed the win in the last minute as Al Ain moved ahead of Al Jazira at the top of the table on goal difference.
Elsewhere, Al Nasr downed Emirates 4-1 in a game which contained three penalties and two red cards.
Al Nasr should have taken the lead after eight minutes but Iranian striker Iman Mobali missed from the spot before Emirates midfielder Yousef Mousa was sent-off.
The home were also reduced to 10 men when Kadhem Ali was also sent-off midway through the first half but still managed to take the lead two minutes later as Moroccan striker Ali Boussabo! un converted from the post before Mobali added a second 13 min! utes bef ore the break.
Younes Ahmed struck the third in the last minute of the first half before Emirates pulled a goal back through Moroccan striker Hassan Tair with a 56th minute penalty.
Mohamad Mallalah sealed Al Nasr's first points of the season two minutes after the hour mark.
